A recently opened café in one of the smartest parts of Ipswich is taking a fresh approach to its offering.
Momentum on St Nicholas Street, owned by chef and entrepreneur Mark Ridgers and his wife Ahidel, opened on December 1, promising luxurious hot chocolates, fine Fairtrade coffee and a blend of continental, British…and Mexican cuisine.
Mark has travelled, researched and cooked food all over the world and just talking about his culinary adventures animates him. “It’s been a concept 30 years in the making,” he says of Momentum. “We wanted to create something different for Ipswich.”
Mark’s vision for the café is as eclectic as its menu, bringing together elements of all the things he loves – the neighbourhood cafes in Italy where patrons pick up their cornetto and coffee in the morning, the great coffee houses of Austria which pay homage to cake, and the fresh, vibrant yet still comforting street food of Mexico. (Ahidel is from Oaxaca).
“The idea is people can come in and get everything from afternoon tea or cream tea, or even have a private meeting for four to 10 people. We have three private rooms upstairs.”
The day begins at 8am at Momentum, where the buttery aroma of croissants, fresh bread and barista-made coffee wafts through the building.
Try the house speciality macchiato, served with a generous helping of cream in a unique glass, or opt for an expertly-made Fairtrade coffee, or perhaps one of the deluxe Choc-o-Lait hot chocolate melts.
The offering throughout the rest of the day is very varied indeed.
The counter at Momentum bursts with homemade and locally-made cakes, tarts, cupcakes, pastries, petit fours and quiches – with quiches being a particular favourite here.
“We always have around four different types of homemade quiches including quiche Lorraine and sundried tomato with 20 year aged Gruyere,” beams Mark.
Bagels can be filled with cool cream cheese and salty smoked salmon, or maybe an Italian blend of mozzarella, parmesan, vine tomatoes and basil pesto.
Or, if you’d prefer to choose your own filling, pick from the home baked, hand carved salt beef, roast beef, roast pork and roast ham displayed in the counter.
With Ahidel’s Mexican heritage, and Mark’s fascination and love for Mexican food, gathered over 15 years, Mexican specialities were always going to be a part of the menu at Momentum.
All the salsas, guacamole and pico de gallo are homemade, as is the crema (a mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise with freshly added seasonings).
Try an authentic quesadilla with fillings such as Oaxaca cheese, grilled chicken or queso fresco cheese.
Or sample the real deal blue or yellow corn tacos, with more Mexican delicacies on the cards in the future.
Too cold to leave your home/office? Momentum has two bicycles, ready to dispatch your coffee, cake or sandwich order directly to you for no charge within the town centre, with a van joining the fleet and delivering from the café within a five mile radius.
Give it a try.
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